Don't forget travel insurance!

While the summer months typically offer ideal travel conditions, spending too much time in the hot sun can be exhausting and counterproductive. Many vacationers create itineraries filled with outdoor experiences that can be physically demanding, sapping their energy and cutting their days short. To get the most out of your trip, consider these useful tips for beating the heat:

Look for indoor activities

One of the best ways to stay cool during your vacation is to dedicate equal time to outdoor and indoor activities. This can allow you to rest and cool off without preventing you from experiencing the natural and man-made sights you most want to see. Consider adding museums, shopping centers and historical landmarks to your itinerary.

Group travel experiences by location

For travelers who prefer to plan out every leg of their journey, it can be useful to organize each day’s activities around a centralized location. This can help you reduce the amount of time spent traveling between destinations and may prevent you from rushing from place to place.

Take it easy

While you may be tempted to fill up your vacation with back-to-back excursions, it's important to give yourself time to relax. Trying to pack too much into a single day can lead to overexertion, so be sure to look for opportunities to sit in the shade, lounge in a cafe or take a nap during the hottest part of the afternoon.

Bring along plenty of water

Staying hydrated is essential to maximizing your travel experiences, as a lack of water can lead to exhaustion, irritability and even heat stroke. The amount of water you should bring along depends on the specific activities you'll be engaging in.

Find a breeze

Careful planning may reduce your exposure to hot and humid weather conditions, but some degree of heat is usually unavoidable during summer travel. If you start to feel overwhelmed, it's a good idea to find a breezy locale to take a quick break, such as a shady waterfront, tree-lined park or a comfortable hilltop.

Bonus Tip: Pack Travel Insurance

You can’t prepare for everything, so remembering to pack a travel insurance plan through Travel Guard is important. Travel Guard’s travel insurance plans can provide coverage for medical expenses and emergency medical attention (just in case you do over indulge in the hot sun). Travel Guard’s assistance services can also go to work on your behalf re-booking flights and hotels, finding lost luggage and more. To find out more call 800.851.0048, visit www.travelguard.com, or ask your travel advisor/agent.

Located in the Andaman Sea off the mainland of Thailand, Phuket is widely considered one of the world's most popular beach destinations thanks to its white sands, clear waters and waterfront resorts. Travelers can soak up the sun in the island's main resort town, Patong, or book a serene boat tour of the legendary Phang Nga Bay, which features towering limestone cliffs and emerald-green waters. Once the sun has set, vacationers can take a stroll down Bangla Road to experience the central hub of nightlife in Patong and explore a massive assortment of nightclubs, bars and street shows.

“My wife and I were enjoying a vacation to Barbados when she became ill. After a couple of trips to the clinic in Barbados we decided to cut our trip short. Travel Guard took care of everything they said they would in a very timely manner. I have used Travel Guard many times and I would highly recommend them to everyone!”

-  Gary Y